(Washington, DC)  Today, the Department of Employment Services (DOES) announced that the Washington Metropolitan Division’s not seasonally adjusted November 2007 unemployment rate was 3.1 percent, unchanged from the October 2007 rate.  The November 2007 rate was equal the rate in November 2006.

Washington Metropolitan Division Civilian Labor Force Employment and Unemployment Rate

The civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 11,100 in November 2007 as employment rose by 11,300 and the number unemployed decreased by 200.  The unemployment rate in the Washington Metropolitan Division, at 3.1 percent in November, was unchanged from the rate in October 2007.  

Over the last 12 months, the number of employed residents in the Washington Metropolitan Division rose by 18,500.   With 900 more unemployed division residents, the division civilian labor force rose by 19,400.  The metropolitan division’s November 2007 unemployment rate was unchanged from the rate in November 2006.

Washington Metropolitan Division Job Growth

Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased over the month in November 2007 by 13,700.  The private sector increased by 9,500 jobs and the public sector gained 4,200 jobs.  Within the private sector, gains were registered in trade, transportation, and utilities (up by 6,900 jobs), educational and health services (up by 2,300 jobs), financial activities (up by 400 jobs), information and other services (up by 300 jobs each), professional and business services (up by 200 jobs), and manufacturing (up by 100 jobs).  Losses were registered in natural resources, mining and construction (down by 700 jobs) and leisure and hospitality (down by 300 jobs).  In the public sector, state government gained 1,900 jobs; local government added 1,900 jobs; and the federal government gained 400 jobs.   

During the past 12 months, the Washington Metropolitan Division gained 33,100 jobs.  The private sector added 31,100 jobs and the public sector gained 2,000 jobs.  Private sector gains were registered in professional and business services (up by 16,100 jobs), trade, transportation, and utilities (up by 4,900 jobs), leisure and hospitality and other services (up by 2,900 jobs each), financial activities (up by 2,100 jobs), natural resources, mining and construction (up by 1,900 jobs), and educational and health services (up by 1,000 jobs). Manufacturing was unchanged while a loss was registered in information (down by 700 jobs).  In the public sector, state government and local government added 1,300 jobs each while the federal government lost 600 jobs.

Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Civilian Labor Force Employment and Unemployment Rate

The civilian labor force in the suburban ring of communities surrounding the District of Columbia increased by 7,400 in November 2007 as employment rose by 10,700 and the number unemployed decreased by 3,300.  The unemployment rate in the suburban ring, at 2.6 percent in November, was down 0.2 percent from the rate in October 2007.  

Over the last  12 months, the number of employed residents in the suburban ring rose by 14,200.   With 1,700 fewer unemployed suburban residents, the suburban civilian labor force rose by 12,400.  The suburban ring’s November 2007 unemployment rate was down 0.1 percent from the rate in November 2006.

For the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, the number of persons in the civilian labor force increased by 9,700 in November 2007.  The number of employed residents in the metropolitan area rose by 12,200 and the number of unemployed residents decreased by 2,500.  The metropolitan area’s unemployment rate at 3.1 percent in November 2007 was down 0.1 percent from the rate in October 2007.

Compared to November 2006, the metropolitan area’s civilian labor force rose by 15,800.  Employment increased by 17,300 and unemployment fell by 1,500.  The Washington Metropolitan Area’s November 2007 unemployment rate was unchanged from the November 2006 rate of 3.0 percent. 

Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Job Growth

November 2007 wage and salary employment estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area will be released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on January 9, 2008.  The estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area will be the summation of the estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division (contained in this release) and the Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, MD Metropolitan Division (to be released by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation).